Gate-latch



'I (No Model.) j

V. M. LAMB. GATB LATGH.

Patented Sept. 13, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES M. LAME, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

' GATE-LATCH SPECIFICATION formng part of Letters Fatent No. 482,482, dated September 13, 18921.

Application filed September 18, 1891. Serial No. 406,109. (No model.)

T0 all wlwm it may concern:

Be it known that L'CHARLns M. LAME, a citizen of the United States, residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improveinent in Gate-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to a latch for gfle that swing both ways upon their hing'efiutit is equally applicable to a gate swinging'onlybnesway. W

In the accoi'pfan'ylng drawings, Figure l is a front elevation of my device; Fig. 2, a transverse section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3, a Vertical section taken on the line 3 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. 4 a detail view.

By a coincidence the essential features of my improved device give opportunity for embodiment in the form of the head of an animal, and I have so represented it in the accompanying drawings. Thus embodied the looking agents form the ears and two of the screws which secure the device to the gatepost form the eyes.

A is a metal plate channeled transversely across its face and terminating at its lateral edges in trunnion-sockets t. This plate is the inner one, and when the device is in position it is in contact with the gate-post.

B is an outer plate provided with an up- Ward extension 8, which latter is transversely channeled, as shown at r, to form with the transverse channel in the plate A a central trunnion-socket.

C O are two metal plates provided at their bases with trunnions q. The plates O are made tapering upon their outer edges and stand somewhat at an angle upon their trunnions, as shown in Fig. 4, andI prefer to make them slightly concavo-convexin form. These plates are monnted pivotally by means of their trunnions in the sockets above referred to, the plate A being recessed at each side of the center to accommodate them when in upright position. The tendency of the plates O is to drop forward by 'gravity and rest upon the Shoulders p on the plate B,'Which maintain them at an angle above the horizontal. Coincident screw-holes are formed through the plates A and B, through which screws o are passed to secure the parts together and to the gate-post. This construction renders the latch easy to cast, as well as easy to place in position, and for these reasons it forms one of the chief merits of the latch.

The gate must be provided on its edge with a rigid part which will iit loosely between the plates Q, and this part may be either the up- 6:0 right rod forming part of the gate itself, as\- erates as a stop preventing the gate fromv swinging beyond the center, and thus as soon as the plate C which has been raised drops to its normal position the gate is held firmly against movement in either direction. To permit the opening of the gate either Way, the proper plate O is lifted by hand.

The foregoing is the preferred mode of application; but where the nature of the gate will permit the latch may, if desired, be secured to the edge of the gate, the object to be caught by the latch in this case being secured to the post.

Obviously for gates that open in one direction only a single pivotal plate G may be employed, if desired, and a fixed stop substituted for the other plate, since in this case the sole function of one of the plates would be to operate as a stop.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a gate-latch, the combination of two plates A and B, internally recessed to form a trunnion-socket and provided With coineident screw-holes for securing them together and to the edge of a gate or post, a trunnion incased between the plates, a plate O, rigid with the trunnion and normally proj ecting forward and resting upon a shoulder p, provided for it on the outer plate, and having an inclined outer edge, whereby it is lifted by the action of the gate in closing and drops by gravity to its normal position when released, and a stop to limit the forward movement of the IOO gate after it has passed the pivotal plate, snbnions, and means for seouring the parts tostantially as deseribed. gether and to a gate or post, snbstantially as 1 a 2. The combination of the plates O, having described. inclned outer edges and trunnions q, plate CHARLES M LAME 5 A, having soekets for the outer trunnions and recessed to form half the socket fo1` the inner In presence of* trunnions, an ontel' plate reoessed. to form the GEO. W. AYERS, other half of the socket for the inne!` trun- J. C. ROWLEY. 

